Black & Veatch was selected to carry out the initial studies, preliminary engineering, and preparation of the EPC tender documents for the six seawater desalination plants, and water transmission systems at two of the plants. The EPC tender documents for the desalination plants and transmission systems were prepared in three packages:
Package 1: MED desalination plants at all six locations
Package 2: RO desalination plants at all six locations
Package 3: Water transmission systems
Desalination Process Component
41,000 to 43,000 mg/l with a temperature range of 20°C to 33°C. To maintain acceptable continuous availability, the train/unit configuration at each plant will be as set out per the following table:
| Plant |
Capacity (m3/day) |
| Al Wajh |
9,000 m3/day (2.4 mgd) |
| Rabigh |
22,500 m3/day (5.9 mgd) |
| Al-Lith |
4,500 m3/day (1.2 mgd) |
| Qunfuda |
9,000 m3/day (2.4 mgd) |
| Umm Lujj |
9,000 m3/day (2.4 mgd) |
| Farasan |
12,000 m3/day (3.2 mgd) |
For the RO process, pretreatment will consist of shock chlorination, chemical dosing, dual media pressure filtration and micron cartridge filtration. Permeate recovery will be a minimum of 40% on the first pass and 80% on the second pass. Energy recovery turbines will maximize energy efficiency for the RO process. For the MED process, steam generation will be undertaken by utilizing diesel-fueled boilers, as there are no associated power stations to provide sufficient steam quantities required for the MED plants. The MED process will utilize thermo vapor compression to maximize energy efficiency of the plants.
The desalinated water will be made potable by the addition
of hydrated lime, carbon dioxide (MED process only), and calcium hypochlorite before being pumped to service reservoirs. The pH of the RO feed water will be adjusted accordingly to allow sufficient carbon dioxide concentrations within the RO permeate to meet the required product water requirements.
In both RO and MED processes, the brine will be returned to the Red Sea downstream of the prevailing north to south current. This will reduce the risk of re-circulation of the reject water to the intake system.
Other Key Project Issues
The water transmission systems are designed to provide water to other locations:
| Plant and Destination |
Capacity |
Distance |
| Rabigh Plant to Masturah |
1,500 m3/d (0.4 mgd) |
52 km (32.3 mi.) |
| Rabigh Plant to Thual |
3,000 m3/d (0.8 mgd) |
65 km (40.4 mi.) |
| Rabigh Plant to Thual & Aziza |
7,500 m3/d (2 mgd) |
98 km (60.9 mi.) |
| Qunfuda Plant to Hali |
1,500 m3/d (0.4 mgd) |
47 km (29.2 mi.) |
Safety & Health
Oil and Gas
